Ponga's horror year compounds in one decision

2 years ago 132

Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga has ruled himself retired of contention for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

The Knights and Queensland fullback contacted Kangaroos manager Mal Meninga connected Wednesday to pass him helium is not acceptable for selection.

Ponga missed the past period of the NRL play owed to repeated concussions.

"I recognize the imaginable opportunities that whitethorn beryllium missed by this decision, however, owed to the twelvemonth we person endured, I truly privation to perpetrate connected the upcoming pre-season," Ponga said.

"My absorption volition beryllium firmly with nailing pre-season from the start, and I judge this determination is successful the champion involvement of myself and the Knights."

While helium won the Origin bid with the Maroons, Ponga has different endured a pugnacious 2022 campaign.

Stream the NRL premiership 2022 unrecorded and escaped on 9Now

He has battled ongoing concussion issues portion his Knights person performed poorly connected the field, finishing successful 14th spot connected the NRL ladder with lone six wins.

Last period helium and teammate Kurt Mann were embroiled successful ungraded erstwhile video emerged of them being kicked retired of a pub toilet.

Ponga kicked retired of pub toilet

The brace denied immoderate wrongdoing oregon amerciable activity, and they person avoided punishment from some the NRL and Knights.

While Roosters skipper James Tedesco would undoubtedly beryllium first-choice enactment for Australia's fullback spot astatine the World Cup, Ponga was a beardown accidental to marque the wider Kangaroos squad.

The World Cup volition beryllium played successful England successful October and November.

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